Soul De Cuba; More than just a good sandwich (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

Soul De Cuba

1121 Bethel Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

http://www.souldecuba.com/

So now that I am back from vacation, I think the people in the office are trying to help me catch up on new restaurants.  Because of this, I am behind by four reviews, so hopefully I can get all four done this weekend.

So this one started off by "The Girl" wanting to take me, "The Pretty One," and "The New Person" (she doesn't have a nickname yet because she is new to the office and we don't know if she is part of "The blog" yet) out for Boss Apreciation Day. Originally we we going to go to an Irish Restaurant, but they were closed. So we went across the street to an Irish Pub, but they weren't serving food.  So "The Pretty One" and the bartender suggested Soul De Cuba just a few blocks away.

This is one of those places that you will walk by and not even know it's a restaurant.

The inside on the other hand, reminded me of a very quaint cafe where at night they stack up the tables and chairs, and turn it into a Salsa Club. Now I have never had Cuban food before (unless you count a Cuban sandwich, which is delicious) so I was excited when I read that "Soul de Cuba Cafe offers a unique dining experience combining exquisite traditional Cuban dishes and specialty drinks in a fun, entertaining, service oriented atmosphere."  So originally I was just going to order one thing like usual, but "The Pretty One" started us all off by ordering appetizers which consisted of three things; 1.  Croquetas De Jaiba (Crab cakes seasoned with tomato sauce, cayenne, onions and green bell peppers.) 2. Papa Rellena (Light and fluffy mashed potato croquette stuffed with seasoned ground beef breaded and lightly fried and served with homemade mango and habanero salsa) and 3. Fried Plantains (which are...Fried Plantains.)

Overall all three were good but since this is a review, I will rank them from worst to best.  The Plantains made this way always just taste like squishy warm bananas to me. The Crab Cakes were good, I just wish they had a little more flavor (which are a lot better with the salsa on it.) but the Papa Rellena...Incredible....like a fluffy little meat pillow (which just like my Pizza Bowl idea, I should trademark the meat pillow idea too.) So starting off I was really  optimistic. Then came my main meal.

I got the Soul Cubano sandwich (serrano ham, manchego cheese, tender roast pork and salami dressed in cilantro and roasted garlic aioli on pressed cuban bread served with mixed greens) It would have just been an O.K. sandwich, but the roast pork texture and flavor made it SOOO good (so for you keeping track, yes that is so with three O's.)

The food was good, the service was great (the waitress actually recommended the Soul Cubano and it was remember, So with three O's good.) however, the parking in that area is scarce and expensive (in fact there was a local girl outside screaming at the parking meter because it was so expensive.) and the prices were a little too high for me.

So overall, I am glad I ate there once, but because of the parking, prices, and location (I really hate going downtown unless I have too.) I will probably never eat here again.